Game 3: Redskins (0-2) at Texans (0-2)

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A week after stumbling and bumbling against the Dallas Cowboys, the Redskins return to Texas still in search of their first win. The pressure to get that win is intense for Joe Gibbs and the team, even though the Skins are facing one of the worst teams in the league. Still, the Texans are looking for their first win too, and will be eager to show the home crowd that they can compete in the NFL.

Despite the dismal losses the past two weeks, there are several bright spots for the Redskins. Clinton Portis is expected to start the game, and his contribution to the ground attack takes a great deal of pressure off of Mark Brunell and the passing game. Good thing, too, because Mark Brunell has completed only 35 of his 61 passing attempts and is 25th among NFL quarterbacks with a 67.7 rating. Yuck. Even worse, the Redskins have yet to score a passing touchdown this season. These fortunes should change, though, as the Texans are dead last in team defense in the NFL. If the Skins can't turn in a respectable performance in Houston, buckle in for a long, frustrating season.

As for the Texans, there's not much to say. David Carr is having a pretty respectable year, and the Texans have lost to two tough teams in Philly and Indianapolis. The Texans are still working on that long, slow climb from expansion team suckiness to NFL-parity worthiness. I expect this team to go all-out to beat the Redskins in front of the home crowd.

The Skins better get it done here, because things don't get any easier over the next few weeks. The tough-as-nails Jacksonville Jaguars come to FedEx in Week 4 and then it's off to the Meadowlands for a showdown with the always-dangerous Giants. Lose this week in Houston and the Redskins have a very real shot at starting the season 0-5.

This is a gameday open thread/counseling session.